Thus, what was originally an Eye Hunt ritual to confiscate the hundredth Vision turned into a series of twists and turns.
First, someone boldly obstructed the Raiden Shogun in her presence, then Kujou Sara led her troops in rebellion against the Kujou Clan, and then the Yashiro Commission even joined the fray. Kujou Takayuki was personally executed by the Raiden Shogun, and it ultimately developed into the Raiden Shogun's announcement of abolishing the Vision Hunt Decree and ending the war.
Every incident that occurred during this ceremony, any single one, could have been a newspaper headline. But with so many major events happening at once, even newspaper reporters didn't know which to prioritize. Perhaps this was a happy dilemma?
The moment the Raiden Shogun announced the abolition of the Vision Hunt Decree, those whose Visions had been confiscated were moved to tears, shouting, "Long live the Raiden Shogun!"
The simple-minded Arataki Itto was already thinking of swinging his Redhorn Stonethresher to smash out the Visions embedded in the Statue of the Omnipresent God, but Kuki Shinobu and others quickly restrained him. This was, after all, the Raiden Shogun's statue; how could they violently destroy it? Wouldn't that be a disrespect to the Raiden Shogun?
They needed to find a craftsman to carefully remove the Visions from the statue. No, it should be said, to 'invite' them out. The Vision Hunt Decree had already been lifted; what was a few more days of waiting?
Although the farce of this Eye Hunt ritual had concluded, this did not mean the incident was entirely over; there was still a huge mess that urgently needed to be dealt with.
Sure enough, after the Eye Hunt ritual ended, the Raiden Shogun announced that a full meeting would be held in the Tenshukaku three days later, requiring all officials, big and small, from Inazuma to attend.
At the same time, the Living God Priestess of Watatsumi Island, Sangonomiya Kokomi, and the general of the Watatsumi Island resistance also received orders from the Raiden Shogun, stating that they must attend this meeting, or face the consequences.
When Sangonomiya Kokomi received this news, she immediately called everyone together for discussion. After seeing the order, everyone's faces were filled with worry.
To be honest, sending the leader of a faction and the general of a resistance to Narukami Island for an inexplicable meeting was too risky. If there were any unfavorable actions on Narukami Island, it would be no different from lambs entering a tiger's den.
But this was an order personally issued by the Raiden Shogun. If the god of a nation specifically named you to attend a meeting, and you dared not to go, that would be a complete betrayal of the divine.
As an insurgent army, even during the Vision Hunt Decree's battles with the Shogunate Army, their resistance's slogan was merely to have the Raiden Shogun abolish the Vision Hunt Decree. They opposed the policy itself, not the Raiden Shogun as a god.
If they truly used 'resisting the Raiden Shogun' and 'overthrowing the Raiden Shogun as a ruler' as their slogan, it is estimated that the number of people who would dare to join the resistance would be negligible. How many people would have such courage to oppose the god of a nation?
Orobashi, the Great God of Watatsumi Island, had long ago been slain by the Raiden Shogun, and his corpse still lay on Yashiori Island. Their side had no god to back them; what could they use to resist the Raiden Shogun?
The people of Sangonomiya deliberated for an entire night. By dawn, news of the Eye Hunt ritual in Inazuma City finally reached Sangonomiya.
Everyone was dumbfounded to learn that the Vision Hunt Decree was actually promulgated by that old man Kujou Takayuki, who had deceived the Raiden Shogun? That old man had already been executed on the spot by the Raiden Shogun? The Raiden Shogun had publicly announced the abolition of the Vision Hunt Decree and the cessation of war with Watatsumi Island?
This... is this so miraculous? So many things could happen in one day?
Judging by the situation, it seemed that the convening of this meeting might not be a bad thing for Watatsumi Island. They could not afford not to go.
Sangonomiya Kokomi looked towards Inazuma City and murmured, "Can Watatsumi Island's future usher in a turning point?"
Sangonomiya was not the only one with complex feelings. On Narukami Island, the subordinate officials and families of the Three Commissions were living in fear. The Kujou Clan, needless to say, its patriarch had been personally beheaded by the Raiden Shogun, the Kujou Clan had been sealed off, and relevant personnel of the Kujou Clan were imprisoned in the Commission Office's jail.
The Commission Office's jail had held countless people throughout Inazuma's hundreds of years of history, but now, the jail personally built by the Kujou Clan ended up holding members of the Kujou Clan. It was quite ironic, to say the least.
Hiiragi Shinsuke, the Kanjou Commission member far away on Ritou, after learning the specific details of the Eye Hunt ritual that day, burned all letters and ledgers related to the Fatui. Not only that, all the exorbitant taxes on Ritou from before became a thing of the past, and he prepared all the illicit gains from these years, ready to bring them to the meeting.
The reason was simple: because of Kujou Takayuki's dying words, which exposed his and the Kamisato Clan's affairs. Although there was no evidence, the Raiden Shogun did not need evidence to act; as long as there was suspicion, the Hiiragi Clan would face utter destruction.
Over the years, the Kanjou Commission had been exploiting foreign merchants with Inazuma's Sakoku Decree, but now, he utterly detested this Sakoku Decree, as it had cut off his hope of escaping Inazuma.
The Kamisato Clan was the same. Although they participated in the battle to set things right at the last moment, their feigned obedience to the Raiden Shogun over the past year or so was also a fact. Even Kamisato Ayato could not guarantee whether the Raiden Shogun would hold the Yashiro Commission accountable for this.
And all they could do now was wait.
After the Eye Hunt ritual, the Raiden Shogun refused all audiences and remained secluded in the Tenshukaku. Judging by this, she likely would not meet anyone before the meeting.
However, Kamisato Ayato and Kamisato Ayaka still noticed some clues: the Raiden Shogun was not the only person currently missing. Guuji Yae of the Grand Narukami Shrine had also disappeared.
If Guuji Yae, as a familiar of the Raiden Shogun, disappeared, it could be understood, but the person named Uchiha Mikage also being unaccounted for was very intriguing.
According to his sister, Lumine and Paimon were currently resting at Komore Teahouse, but even Lumine did not know where Uchiha Mikage had gone.
As the greatest contributor to the abolition of the Vision Hunt Decree, he had vanished after his success, which was completely illogical. Kamisato Ayato suddenly had a bold conjecture and turned to look in the direction of the Tenshukaku.
He had a premonition that perhaps all these disappeared people were currently in the Tenshukaku, discussing the future of Inazuma with the Raiden Shogun.
Kamisato Ayato's conjecture was very accurate. At this moment, inside the Tenshukaku, Yuto, Raiden Ei, and Yae Miko were sitting around a table. A large map of Inazuma was spread on the table, and the three looked at the map with troubled expressions.
Inazuma is located in the southeast of the continent of Teyvat. It is an island nation that does not border any other country. Its land area is the smallest among The Seven Nations. The most crucial point is that even with such a small land area, there are still two large islands, Seirai Island and Tsurumi Island, that have been desolate to this day due to various reasons.
Seirai Island was originally home to many people, but because Seirai Hibiki deliberately unsealed the barrier on Seirai Island to save Ako Domeki, the Thunder Manifestation, formed from the soul of the Thunderbird, reappeared and enveloped the entire Seirai Island in endless thunderstorms, causing the island's residents to relocate to other islands.
As for Tsurumi Island, due to its eerie dense fog and strange phenomena, it has remained uninhabited for thousands of years.
Yuto pointed to these two islands on the map and said to Raiden Ei and Yae Miko, "Seirai Island and Tsurumi Island must be developed. What kind of situation is it to let two such large islands lie desolate, raising monsters?
The peculiarities of these two islands are a spectacle for ordinary people, but for the Raiden Shogun, they are not a problem. Raiden Shogun, you really are something. After you slew the Thunderbird, you actually allowed its soul to cause such a huge hidden danger, and it still exists after thousands of years."
The Raiden Shogun was rendered speechless by Yuto's words. Although his tone towards her was not very good, since she had already decided to govern Inazuma better, talent was still needed.
"Alright, in a while, I will go and eradicate that Thunder Manifestation and clear out all the surrounding monsters."
"No, there's no need for such trouble. You only need to deal with the Thunder Manifestation on Seirai Island and the Golden Wolflord on Tsurumi Island. As for the surrounding monsters, you can post commissions at the Adventurers' Guild or have the Shogunate Army go clear them out."
"Why? Posting commissions seems to cost money, and sending the army to clear them out might cause casualties. We could save this money for other things, and Inazuma's financial problems are already very serious."
"That's right, it might indeed cost more money, and there might even be casualties, but this is necessary. This money cannot be saved, and these casualties cannot be avoided."
Seeing Raiden Ei still looking puzzled, Yae Miko, who was beside her, explained with a smile:
"Oh, Ei, it seems your mind is still too simple. The little guy's meaning is already very clear. Under your protection, Inazuma is almost becoming a giant baby. People have developed the bad habit of being reckless because they have you to back them up. They need to experience some setbacks to grow, right?"
"Miko is right, but there's another reason. After more than a year of war, the Shogunate Army and the resistance in Inazuma have a deep hatred for each other. This hatred cannot be dispelled by a single word from Ei. The best way is to shift their conflict and let them fight together again."
"You mean, let them clear out the monsters on these two islands together, thereby mending their relationship?"
"Exactly. What's the point of humans fighting humans? Fighting against foreign races is what makes true heroes. In this situation, the soldiers of both armies can reconcile in the fastest time, after all, comrades who have fought together are one of life's four unbreakable bonds."
"Four unbreakable bonds? That's an interesting saying. What are the other three?"
"Studying together, fighting together, sharing spoils together, and... I won't say the last one, it's a bit vulgar."
Raiden Ei and Yae Miko's curiosity had been piqued by Yuto, so they naturally wouldn't let him off easily. Both of them began to flicker with terrifying lightning, and from that posture, if he didn't speak, they would directly strike him.
Under duress, Yuto wrote down the last three words on a piece of paper. After Raiden Ei and Yae Miko read it, a hint of blush unconsciously appeared on their faces, and they directly pinched Yuto.
"Hey, hey, hey, don't disbelieve me. In fact, the first three might change over time due to erode, but the last one, that friendship, is the bottom line of humanity for both sides, especially when the ugly side is simultaneously broken through in front of each other, entering a state of mutual prosperity and loss. It's hard for them not to become close."
"Who wants to hear you explain that? You lecherous scoundrel, it serves you right for not having a girlfriend."
"Hehe, sorry, I already have a girlfriend. I met her in Liyue. She's a disciple of an Adeptus, and her figure is better than both of yours. Once I finish dealing with Inazuma's messes, I'll go back to Liyue to settle down."
As Yuto spoke of this, Shenhe's promise to him before his departure often flashed in his mind, and he couldn't help but reveal a lewd smile. The next moment, Yuto felt the flesh on both sides of his waist being twisted again.
"You're an Inazuman. What's the meaning of settling in Liyue?" Clearly, Raiden Ei and Yae Miko were very displeased to hear that Yuto wanted to settle in Liyue. If he left Inazuma, who would handle all these troublesome matters? No, they had to find a way to stop him.
Yae Miko gave her good friend Raiden Ei a meaningful look, but this clueless girl didn't understand her signal at all and even showed a puzzled expression.
Alas, after hundreds of years, this country bumpkin is still as foolish, with no tacit agreement whatsoever. Never mind, I'll discuss this with her later.
"Additionally, there is one more crucial matter. Currently, the Fatui Harbinger, Balladeer, also known as Kunikuzushi, the first generation puppet you created, Ei, is also in Inazuma. He is currently operating a Delusion factory on Yashiori Island, specifically distributing them to ordinary people who wish to achieve glory in the war."
"Delusion? I know about that. It's said to be an artificial Vision developed by Snezhnaya, which allows ordinary people to wield elemental power. However, the cost to the body is immense, and after only a few uses, one will die due to the depletion of life force."
Upon hearing Yae Miko's words, Raiden Ei unconsciously looked at Yuto. In the previous battle, Yuto had used four elements. Could he also have used a Delusion?
Seeing Raiden Ei and Yae Miko looking at him with puzzled expressions, Yuto quickly explained, "Don't look at me like that! I wouldn't use something as low-grade and dangerous as a Delusion. Isn't it good to be alive?"
"Hmph! Kunikuzushi, I didn't expect him to become a Fatui Harbinger and even poison the citizens of Inazuma. I shouldn't have been merciful back then and allowed him to live. If I see him again, I will definitely slay him."
Yuto glanced at the furious Raiden Ei and didn't want to explain to her that she was the biggest culprit for Balladeer becoming this way; Dottore's conspiracy was secondary.
"Now that Ei has abolished the Vision Hunt Decree and ordered an end to the war, but Delusions are still too tempting for ordinary people. We still need to find an opportunity to eradicate the Delusion factory and issue a ban strictly prohibiting the use of Delusions.
Hmm... This matter should be handled by Kujou Sara. Speaking of which, Sara's loyalty is still commendable. She was only deceived by Kujou Takayuki. We should give her an opportunity to atone for her crimes and alleviate her guilt towards Ei. It's only reassuring if she controls the Shogunate Army."
"Agreed!" Raiden Ei and Yae Miko both nodded in unison, affirming this decision.
--------------------------------
Hello everyone! I have posted 40-50 previous chapters on Patreon, if you like my work and want to support me on this creative journey, you can support me here: [patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you for your support!!!